How Olympian Natalie Coughlin Stays Focused on the Starting Block

The stakes are sky-high for Natalie Coughlin--she's won a medal in every Olympic event she's entered. Her current tally from the past two Games: three gold, four silver and four bronze. If she keeps up this streak in 2012, she could tie with Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres as the most decorated U.S. female swimmers in Olympic history. Coughlin's take: "My first Olympics was about proving myself. My second, about defending my titles. Now I just feel strong." Our take: Go get it, girl!

How do you focus on the starting block? “I imagine my start, turn and finish, and I don’t look at anyone–I try to compete with myself rather than others. I define what success means to me, not everyone else.”

What do you do to eat healthfully? “I have a large garden, where I grow herbs, lettuce, kale, year-round strawberries and seasonal veggies, and I even have five chickens, so I always have fresh eggs! Growing my own food is a fun hobby that also nourishes my body.”

Do you have a go-to sunblock? “Vertra Foundation Face Stick SPF 38 [$22; Vertra.com]. It has a tint, and it’s nearly waterproof.”